Ready for Ramadhan? Part 3

01 May Ready for Ramadhan? Part 3

Assalamu ‘alaykum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakaatuhu

Dear sisters,

It’s time for part 3 in our quarterly series ‘Ready for Ramadhan’, as we seek to prepare for the blessed month by improving our relationship with alQur’aan.

This week’s focus is drawn from my recent correspondence with a regular Fee Qalbee blog reader and the question she posed regarding her son’s Qur’aan recitation:

Q: Salam Alykom from Paraguay!  This blog is something of a hifdh resource tool for my family and I. May Allah reward you! We reverted to Islam 5 years ago and since then, have studied tajwid with our children (Yusuf 12, Somayah 7). Since completing our khatme of Qur’aan we have commenced with memorisation.  Now, Yusuf is busy memorising Juzz 29 but I’ve found that whilst his work is good, his recitation is really unclear, almost as though he’s mumbling through some words. With Ramadhan literally ‘round the corner, we would like for his recitation to have more clarity. Can you advise us please?

                                                                                                   Ruqaya Oum Yusuf

                                                                                                   Nemby, Paraguay

A: Wa ‘alaykumus salaam wa Rahmatullah dear Oum Yusuf,                                      Welcome to Fee Qalbee and shukran for your important question. MashaAllah! you have all made excellent progress with your Qur’aan goals and we pray that ALLAH keep you steadfast & sincere in His Path, ameen.

Indeed, the recitation of alQur’aan has one basic obligation: the Tarteel (distinct intonation and pronunciation of the words) must be applied at all times.  As such, your concern is valid and key to Yusuf’s progress: unclear recitation can negatively affect the quality and progress of a hifdh student.

Regarding the clarity of recitation, I would like to share some learning tools that you may choose to incorporate into daily review and lesson plans:

1. The ideal starting point is sitting down and talking to Yusuf: Try discussing this concern directly and clearly express your concern over the recitation, as well as your intention to help resolve this. He needs to at all times, be reassured that his parents are with him, assisting and encouraging his hifdh efforts. Could it be that he finds specific words challenging to pronounce or even memorise? Or that review time is set for too late in the day by which time he may possibly be too tired or overwhelmed? Hosting a group of his hifdh friends would also prove to renew his interest and motivation.
2. Introduce a daily routine of audio review: Begin with Yusuf’s favourite surah – allow him to independently listen to the surah twice, after which he should recite along without looking into the mus-haf. By this stage, he will probably recognise that there are certain words which he is reciting incorrectly, as a result of the unclear recitation. Set a time and goal for the day: focus on addressing and rectifying the hifdh / tajweed of some words. Encourage him and acknowledge his wonderful effort a working towards a clearer recitation. Here, it’s important for me to mention that the Qaari he listens to should be a distinguished expert, the likes of:  Sh. Hudayfi  or Sh.Husary
3. I highly recommend that Yusuf recite his daily revision as loud as possible. Together with improving the clarity, it will help develop concentration – a key component often attributed to unclear recitation. Also, encourage him to recite his Nafl prayers out aloud.
4. Take note of his breathing and whether or not he is pausing or stopping at the end of verses correctly.
5. When Yusuf completes a surah, allow him to record and thereafter listen to his own recitation. As he becomes aware of the vast improvement, he will be motivated to continue working diligently at correcting his recitation. InshaAllah, you will also notice your teen developing a much healthier approach and attitude to his learning.
6. Never underestimate the benefits of some healthy competition between Yusuf and his little sister. It will also develop a beautiful spiritual link between them. Let’s face it, which big brother wouldn’t be up for a challenge!
   
7. MashaAllah! as parents, you have made the best choice: striving towards becoming a Family of alQur’aan. And the best example lies within you: Reciting even 10 minutes of Qur’aan or the sura Yaaseen out aloud each morning, applying tajweed & tarteel is a case in point and a realistic, inspiring example that Yusuf is bound to follow.

Recommended Reading: The Excellence of Learning the Qur’aan

Fee Qalbee’s 2012 ‘Ready for Ramadhan?’ series: Part 1 and Part 2

*’Ready for Ramadhan’ is a series of pre-Ramadhan posts which seeks to assist hifdh students, hafidhaat, teachers and parents alike. Each Tuesday, a new post addressing different questions or concerns is uploaded. Fee Qalbee welcomes your questions for future posts in this feature. Please direct your correspondence to Hafidha Rayhaanah

Stay Inspired!

Rayhaanah